Biography - R. E. Brown

R. E. BROWN. The veterinary doctor and surgeon of today recognizes the
benefit of science as applied to his profession, and it is a noteworthy fact
that, within the last several decades the course in this line has become as
strict as that of a regular doctor of medicine, while,, the scope of
practice being wider, many of the young men of today are taking up the
veterinary line in preference. One of the successful veterinary surgeons of
Southern Illinois, who has had a long and varied experience in his
profession is R. E. Brown, whose chosen field of practice is the city of
Anna, Union county. He was born in 1871, in Tarrant county, Texas, and is a
son of A. C. and Emma (Elkins) Brown.

A. C. Brown was born in Anna, Illinois, in 1853, and was a lad of twelve
years when he accompanied his parents to the State of Texas. There he became
a member of the State Police, known as the Texas Rangers, and met his death
at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1873, while in the performance of his
duty. His widow remained in Texas only a short time after his death, and
when R. E. Brown was three years old she brought him and his brother, Dr. L.
U. Brown, a prominent veterinary of Ardmore, Okla., to Anna. R. E. Brown
received his preliminary educational training in the common schools, and
spent eight terms at the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale,
taking a teacher's course. Mr. Brown was engaged in school teaching in Union
county for seven years, and also worked for a number of years as a carpenter
and contractor, but eventually turned his attention to veterinary work, his
stepfather having been engaged in that profession. He took a course of two
years in the National Medical University of Chicago, and for the past eight
years has been engaged in practice in Anna, where he has had considerable
success.

The standard of his science is being constantly raised by just such men as
Dr. Brown, and his profession is recognized as one of the most important.
The Government has recognized this fact, and has many skilled veterinary
surgeons constantly in its employ, to care for the health of the valuable
stock belonging to it, as well as to pass upon that which is to be
slaughtered. He uses the latest scientific methods and keeps abreast of the
latest inventions and discoveries in his profession by subscription to
various veterinary journals, and his success has won for him the confidence
of his community. Dr. Brown is general manager and secretary of the Anna
Improvement and Loan Company and owns considerable stock therein.

In 1901, Dr. Brown was married to Miss Mamie West, who was born on a farm
east of Anna, in Union county, in April, 1881, daughter of A. J. and Lucinda
West, who still reside on the "West homestead. Two children have been born
to this union: Roy, who was born in February, 1905; and Robert, born in
December, 1909. Mr. Brown has associated himself with various movements for
the advancement of his community. His fraternal connections are with the Odd
Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court
of Honor. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church, and
both are popular in church and social circles.

Extracted from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 2, pages
596-597.